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CONNECT – SUCCEED - COLLABORATE
“When what used to work at work no longer works, it’s time to change
our ways of thinking – and think of ways of changing.”
Catherine DeVrye
A
new year always offers
exciting business prospects.
It brings energised and
innovative thinking, renewed
enthusiasm and the opportunity to
reinvent yourself and the direction of
your business or career.
Our cover girl Tracey Mathers has
done just that. An Australian icon
with incredible business acumen.
Third generation retailer she has
a wealth of experience in both the
retail and corporate world. Read
about her amazing story and feel her
enthusiasm, her passion and belief in
people leap out of the pages at you -
the reader. We ALL can be a success
in what we do. No matter how big or
small our business.
Entrepreneurship is alive and well in
Australia with the number of start-
ups established by women accounting
for one in every four businesses.
Before you get too excited about the
prospect of running your own show
and resign from your current job,
there are a few things that need to
be carefully considered. Firstly, do
you have the drive, motivation and
capability to not only develop the
product or service your business
will offer, but the skills to manage
a small business successfully? Will
the enthusiasm die down after you
receive countless no’s, few customers
4
Women’s Network Magazine
and the bright shiny crystal ball dulls
to a normal regular coffee mug. Does
your business idea have the future
potential to provide, at the very least,
the income and superannuation
benefits you would receive if you were
working as an employee? Tap into the
resources available to you. Look at
the government grants, research and
read the articles in this magazine for
inspiration.
Success is only achieved by those
who are willing to learn, develop
and address all aspects of business
ownership, not just the bits that are
interesting or creative.
Business ownership is challenging, it
takes confidence, a fighting spirit and
passion to develop and succeed as an
entrepreneur.
It’s also one of the reasons Women’s
Network magazine is considered
such an important and valuable
resource. Read by thousands of
female small business owners, it
offers an environment where they
can be inspired by the achievements
of others, discover resources for
addressing business issues, develop
and create innovative ideas and
gather momentum. In this issue,
we immerse you into a vast content
of knowledge covering everything
from marketing, leadership, finance,
business development and life skills
which is all aimed at ensuring you
have the best chance of leading your
small business to success. Support our
contributors and advertisers – pick up
the phone and have a real conversation
about their business.
While the drought has slipped off the
national news, and certainly some
storms have delivered good rain to
isolated pockets and more recently
tragic flooding. Farmers enjoy what
they do and where they do it and most
are happy being left alone but right at
the moment many are facing some of
the biggest hurdles of their life. If you
know a farmer in business, or someone
who works in agriculture and haven't
spoken with them for some time give
them a call tomorrow and ask "How are
you going?"
Enjoy this issue of Women’s Network
Magazine, pick up some tips that can
help drive your business to success and
have a great start to your New Year.
Janelle Bostock
xx
Chief Executive Offier
& Editor-in-Chief
[email protected]